Will you help spread the word?
@eslproofreader (517)
United States
May 25, 2007 5:57pm CST
I am an ESL instructor/proofreader with 15 years of experience. I'm extending my business to offer editing services for restaurants (On a recent trip to Germany, my husband saw on a German menu, the entree 'Chicken Spit on my Noodle'- we still laugh at that one). I will edit anything (menus especially) translated into English (and also translate from Spanish to English). Since mylot is a melting pot, I thought you all might be able to help out. Any marketing suggestions are surely welcome. Thanks.
3 people like this
5 responses
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
25 May 07
I don't know of any one I can recommend you to, right now, but I do have some questions. I am interested in becoming an ESL instructor, possible in Haiti. Do you have to be licensed or certified to do it? I am sure it is easier if you know the native language, but can one teach English without knowing the native language? I am trying to learn Kreyol, which is the common language in Haiti, but I am not very good at it so far.
Loved your bit about the menu item!
2 people like this
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
25 May 07
I see that you're from the U.S.- that's good news if you want to teach abroad. Usually, being a native speaker is enough in a place such as Haiti- and they almost never expect you to know your host country's language. However, don't expect a great salary (maybe just a great experience). If you want to be certified, it's usually a matter of 3 or 4 courses if you already hold a Bachelor's degree. Try looking on Craigslist.org or monster.com; they always have plenty of ESL jobs abroad.
By the way, my website is in my mylot profile, but I should have included it in my discussion topic. It's:eslproofreader.com.
I'm designing a site especially for menu editing as we type.
Good luck to you in your job search.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
26 May 07
Thanks so much for the information and your reply. I am hoping to work with a missions organization, so I know the salary won't be much. That's ok. I'm retired and my retirement income will probably be great in Haiti!
2 people like this
@maribea (2366)
• Italy
27 May 07
oh I don't know how I can help you but of course if I ever listen something useful I will surely tell you..Rome is a bid city and a great touristic place so they are translating everything into English. So sure there might be a market here providing you get the right connections!!! I'll keep eyes and ears open for you..however I wish you good luck and hope you'll have a great great success!
1 person likes this
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
27 May 07
Hi, Maribea! Thanks for your kind wishes. Jeez, if only I could be in Rome on vacation again, I'd edit all of the menus in the city for free!- well, maybe I'd collect my fees in food...
1 person likes this
@Phlamingho (7825)
• Denmark
25 May 07
What exactly is an ESL instructor/proofreader?
1 person likes this
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
26 May 07
I teach English as a Second Language and proofread for people who speak English as their second language. Thanks for your interest.
1 person likes this
@96vidalias (344)
• United States
26 May 07
I can't throw you any business, but I enjoyed your example from the German menu. If you are not already familiar with it, I know that you would enjoy the site engrish.com It was originally just from Japanese but then people sent in things they have seen from other languages.
You should try to intervene in companies that send out instructions that are unreadable. That would be a great service to the buyers.
1 person likes this
@friendship (2084)
• Canada
27 May 07
Hi eslproofreader,
Your experience is so funny (LOL). "Chicken Spit on my Noodle" ha...ha.... Thanks for sharing this. Do you have another stuffs? I love hearing more.... By the way, I am not a native English speaker. Thus, I would like to add you as my friend's list. Hopefully, you don't mind adding me as a friend.
1 person likes this
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
27 May 07
Hey, Friendship. I just accepted you- as you probably already know. I see that you live in Canada. Where are you from originally- or are you French Canadian?
If you like those funny mistranslations, you should go where my friend above suggested: engrish.com. There's some really funny stuff there.
